Swedish man charged with killing girlfriend

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The ex-boyfriend of 31-year-old Marina Johansson from Spekeröd on the west coast, missing for a year, has been charged with her murder, even though police have still not found her body.

"I deny all allegations because I have done nothing," he said during the hearing.

The charges were made after new evidence was uncovered at the woman's house five months after she went missing.

Johansson was reported missing by her mother on August 2nd last year and two days later her ex-boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of her murder despite the fact that police found nothing incriminating in her house.

It was not until friends of Johansson moved into the house five months later that blood stains were discovered on a mattress, which had been covered by a snug-fitting blanket.

Further examination inside the house revealed what police suspect to be a bullet hole with bone fragments on a wall next to the bed.

The police and prosecutors now believe that Johansson was murdered on July 28th last year, after the couple had a row during a boat trip.

On their return police think the man shot her in the head as she lay in bed and later disposed of the body.

The accused, who has three children from a former relationship, was once again arrested and was formally charged with murder on Friday.

The 38-year-old still denies all involvement in the disappearance, while the police are still yet to find any trace of the gun, apparently belonging to Johansson herself, and which they believe to be the murder weapon.

The couple met through an internet dating site in 2006 and moved in together two years later.